Never drink and drive, and never get into the car of someone who has been drinking.
Avoid cell phone use while driving. If you must use a cell phone while driving, consider a hands-free device. However for optimum safety, do not use your cell phone while driving.
Always use your seat belt.
Always put your infant in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of your car from birth until he is at least 1 year old and weighs at least 20 pounds. Babies riding in the front seat can be fatally injured by a passenger side airbag.
For information on child safety seats, as well as child safety for older children, please take a look at this web site: www.chop.edu
Drive defensively—be aware of what is going on around you.
Do not pass stopped school buses.
Always yield to the right of way of emergency vehicles, in pursuit of an emergency situation.
In the event of an accident, make sure to get a police report as soon as possible.
Immediately after an accident, see a doctor to have all injuries documented. Even if you don't think you're inured, you may very well be seriously injured.
Contact a personal injury attorney to ensure that you are doing everything you can to protect your rights.
Severe Weather Driving Tips
On ice or snow
Bridges and overpasses freeze first, so always slow down and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction.
Keep windows clear.
Keep your speed steady and slow—but not so slow that your car gets stuck in deeper snow.
Use your brakes cautiously. Abrupt braking can cause brake lock-up and cause you to lose steering control.
To make Antilock Brakes work correctly, apply constant, firm pressure to the pedal. During an emergency stop, push the brake pedal all the way to the floor, if necessary, even in wet or icy conditions.
If you get stuck in snow, straighten the wheels and accelerate slowly. Avoid spinning the tires. Use sand or cinders under the drive wheels.
In high winds
It is best not to drive a trailer, van or other "high-profile" vehicle in high winds.
If driving in high winds, use extra caution near trailers, vans or vehicles carrying lightweight cargo.
When it rains
Slow down. Roads usually prove more slippery than they would seem.
Turn on your lights. Use the defroster or air conditioner to keep windows and mirrors clear.
When it's foggy
Stay to the right of the roadway.
Turn on your headlights — day or night — to low beam.
If you can't see the road's edge, pull off on the right — well out of the traffic lane — and turn on the emergency flashers. Wait until visibility improves before you continue.
In a Hailstorm
Find shelter by driving under an overpass or bridge.
In Severe Thunderstorms
Listen to your car radio and be alert.
If You See a Tornado
Never try to outrun a tornado. Get out of the car and find shelter. If you can not get to a safe structure, lie down in a ditch or low area. Lie face down to protect yourself from flying debris and cover the back of your head and neck with your hands. Stay alert for flash floods.
